Chapter Four
Valeris
I frowned at the stiff collar imprisoning my neck like a noose, irritated at the discomfort it waged on me.
“Once I’m king,” I said, “dress standards will be the first thing I change.”
I watched my uncle roll his eyes in the mirror’s reflection.
“May I remind you that you are not king yet and may never become king? Even if you do win this competition, it will be years until you are crowned.”
There seemed to be a few new streaks of gray in his short salt-and-pepper hair since I’d last seen him.
A smile twitched at the corner of my lips as I examined myself in the mirror.
The suit and tailcoats were dyed the deepest shade of blue, pressed to perfection.
Light glinted off the gold seams and buttons, a perfect contrast to the rest of the uniform.
Uncomfortable as it was, I decided the finery complemented me well and gave me a striking appearance.
A good impression was essential for the opening ball.
My manservant approached with a golden crown, but I waved him away. I disliked the unnecessary formality and only endured the slippery circlet for as long as I had to. If I tried to wear it now it would only end up on the floor.
“I’m so appreciative of your faith in me, Uncle.” I fastened my tan leather belt. “It really boosts my confidence for this evening.”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “Valeris—”
“Did you get the list?” I interrupted.
He pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket, extending it out to me. The ink had barely dried on the crisp parchment. I nodded my head toward the table, and he set it down. I glanced at the list as I fastened my cuff links.
I snorted. “Is this a joke?”
My uncle rubbed his tired eyes. “Isn’t everything a joke with you?”
“The way he talked in the study, I expected him to suggest something impossible like convince Adellaia to attend the Paravellian Balls and trade for one of their steeds.” I smirked. “My father only listed ten alliances. Half of those will be easier to secure than the latch on my cloak.”
“And the other half?”
I leaned over to examine the list closely, the names and kingdoms swirling together among the specific trades my father desired from each. I cocked my head. “Tricky, but attainable.”
A sour expression filled his face, and he crossed his arms. “What is your plan, then?”
“Haskelle.”
His attention whipped back to the list. “Haskelle? The river rights? Why secure the river rights first?”
“Because the Teyre River is on Haskelle land, and they charge an absurd fee to sail down their waters. I need something valuable enough to trade that they’ll allow us use of the river to carry our exports and wave the fee.
The Teyre River deal is crucial before attempting any other.
There’s no use bargaining for extra docks at the southern borders or increasing the quarry deals with the northern kingdoms if we can’t afford to ferry the supplies down the river. ”
I took great pleasure in the disgruntled look on his face.
“And you plan to accomplish all that tonight?” my uncle drawled.
I checked the time on my pocket watch, frowning.
“The opening ball is about first impressions and introductions—scoping out the competition—but yes, I can secure the river alliance tonight. I’ll secure Pranger’s steel supply at the second ball, and being centered on dancing, the third ball is the perfect opportunity to sway the queen of Ravonia in our favor. ”
Uncle tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair. “You only looked at that list for two seconds to devise those plans. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to lay them out more strategically?”
I shrugged and straightened my coat. “What a waste of time that would be.”
A knock came at the door, and I nodded at the servant to open it.
Ezrielle sauntered into the room with a smug aura and wearing only enough clothes be considered decent in public.
The rest of her body was draped in a transparent tulle that left little to the imagination.
I turned back to the mirror, catching my uncle slipping the list of names and alliances back into his pocket from the corner of my eye.
“Did the dressmaker run out of material?” I asked.
Although I couldn’t see her, I knew she was rolling her eyes.
“Really, Valeris, I thought modesty was beneath you.”
I titled my head. “I don’t think ‘modesty’ is the word you’re looking for, Ezrielle. You’d have to ask someone else for opinions on that. I was simply referring to the matter of common decency. You are aware that children are present at the Paravellian Balls, are you not?”
Not to mention her wardrobe choices reflected on the family as a whole, insinuating to outsiders how we viewed different methods of making alliances; the assumptions rang true for most of my family but created complications for me.
Ezrielle ignored my quip, continuing with the business that had brought her here. “Rumor has it you’re convinced you’re going to become the new heir to the throne.”
“I am going to become the new heir to the throne.”
She tsked, making herself comfortable on the couch as she propped herself up on one arm. “Your head was always far too big for your body, stuffed with foolishness rather than reason.”
I dismissed the servants from the room in fear she might turn her retaliation onto them. She had fired three of my favorites over a case of lukewarm tea, and I’d had to discreetly interfere to ensure their families weren’t harmed and they were able to obtain sufficient employment elsewhere.
“I’m sorry, were you referring to me or yourself?” It was so easy to get to her, especially when she was trying to get a rise out of me and grew frustrated when she couldn’t.
“Poor little Valeris, so insecure in his own skin he can’t survive without insulting others. Whatever are you to do when Uncle here is no longer around to coddle you?”
“I’m sorry, but isn’t that exactly what you’re doing right now?”
“Doing what?”
“Revealing your insecurity by insulting others?”
Irritation flashed in her eyes even as she remained cool. “Twisting words and muddling another’s conversation will never get you anywhere politically, Valeris. They’ll label you insane.”
I cocked my head. “If I apply that logic to your tactics wouldn’t that mean they would label you a whore?”
She let out a laugh, but it was forced, her face turning angry with rage. “I wouldn’t expect such an inexperienced prude to have any understanding in the ways of the world—which leads to your confusion on the matter.”
I flinched at the word. Prude. It set me apart from my family in more ways than one.
“Do you know what the difference is between me and you?” I asked.
She inspected her sparkling nails. “It would take the duration of all seven balls to even begin to list them out—”
“You don’t know how to secure the throne without using your body, but I can win it without ever having to sell mine.
I think you’re jealous of that. You’re smart, Ezrielle, and I think you sell yourself far too cheap when your mind could be considered a gold mine if you would try to use it for once. ”
“Why would I ever settle for such a simple and mundane scholar’s code when there are so many other options available?
” She stood, mock sympathy in her expression as if she were admonishing a school boy.
“May the best heir win, little brother. At least I know I will have far more fun during the Paravellian Balls than you could ever imagine. I’ll give you a piece of advice: Give it up while you’re ahead.
Everyone knows you don’t have what it takes to be king or what it takes to secure these critical alliances.
Save yourself the embarrassment and accept defeat now.
It will make things that much easier in the end. ”
I smiled. “That’s the thing, Ezrielle. If you have a weak enemy, you let him be because there is no possible way for him to win. If you have to confront an enemy, that’s a strong indication of feeling threatened.”
She glared at me. “Remember I offered you the easy way out.”
The door slammed behind her, her tall heels clicking down the stone hall.
“Oh yes, Uncle,” I said, turning to him. “Why not give up now? She would be a wonderful alternative for queen, don’t you think?”
He only grimaced, but I caught a flicker of the guilt haunting him.
It surfaced whenever Ezrielle was around.
A pang of sorrow and regret sliced through me, and I left the conversation alone.
He’d never said anything against her even though I knew he would agree with me.
I couldn’t help it. Sometimes I wondered who she would have become, if all those years ago ...
I cleared my throat, straightening my jacket one last time before heading for the door. “Do you think it’s too early to start planning my coronation?”